Get down for a good cause at the annual Gilded Hearts Charity Masquerade Ball on February 24 headlined by Oakland Grammy Award-winning performer Fantastic Negrito. Hosted by the Hope for Hearts Foundation, the black-tie (masks optional) affair is a charity gala to benefit pediatric heart patients and their families, and will be held at a historic mansion in Presidio Heights, San Francisco. The night's set to feature Michelin-Star snacks, an open bar with California wine and bubbles, plus inspirational speakers, all soundtracked by 99.7 NOW’s DJ St John and the gritty roots blues of Fantastic Negrito.

Born Xavier Dphrepaulezz, Fantastic Negrito rose to prominence after winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest with the musical style he describes as “black roots music for everyone.” Accessibility in this case means a stirring blend of old school blues that recalls the likes of Lead Belly modernized by loops and samples of live slide guitar and drums. His album, The Last Days of Oakland, received the Grammy Award for Best contemporary Blues Album in 2016.

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Tshego (or Tee) is a South African living in Oakland and the type of person who plays a song she likes too many times a day. I love everything about music: listening to it (loudly), playing it (averagely), and talking about it (to remind us that we're all on the same team).

Founded in 2006, The Bay Bridged is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization utilizing new media and presenting live events to support the San Francisco Bay Area’s indie rock, folk, and pop music communities. Our mission is to maintain a dedicated public education campaign to encourage public appreciation of San Francisco Bay Area independent music and to provide unique opportunities for local musicians to perform, receive exposure, collaborate,
and create original works.